(Name-mce) ListServ Native Teens, Who We Are

[NativeVillage500 at aol.com]

Greetings Name members, 
Below is information about an upcoming PBS program concerning Native  
American teens. Producer Pam Benson had contacted me several months  ago for  
information, so luckily, that benefits me with an early  "heads up." 
This airs during a perfect time for Thanksgiving activities and the  Native 
American studies programs that schools seem to emphasize  from Sept-November. 
Native people are not only history but are alive and  thriving today! 
Warm  Regards, 
Gina  Boltz, Director 
Native  Village Publications 
_http://www.nativevillage.org_ (http://www.nativevillage.org)  
"Native  Teens, Who We Are", an "In the Mix" segment scheduled to be aired on 
November  18, 2006.  
What's  it like to be a young Native American today? Teens from throughout 
the  United  States share their stories in “Native American  Teens: Who We Are,”
 an upcoming In the  Mix special co-hosted by Native American rap artist and 
film actor  Litefoot. Shot around the country, the program features profiles 
of accomplished  teens, short films made by young Native Americans, and an 
insightful discussion  with a group of young Native leaders from cities and 
reservations throughout the  United  States. 
Litefoot (Cherokee) co-hosts the special with Dartmouth film major Christina 
Douglas (Shinnocock) at the  Mashantucket Pequot pow wow in Connecticut. 
Litefoot appears at the pow wow  as part of his “Reach the Rez” tour, and in the 
program, viewers learn about the  year-long tour’s messages of hope and 
empowerment for Native American  youth. 
A champion lacrosse player and a Grammy-nominated musician are among the  
teens profiled in the special. The lacrosse player is 15-year-old Kori Hafltown,  
and on the Seneca Cattaragus reservation in Western New  York, we see his 
exciting play, learn about the deep roots of  lacrosse in Native American 
culture, and see just how traditional lacrosse  sticks are made. On the 
Shoshone-Bannock reservation in Fort Hall, Idaho, we meet award-winning musician Hovia  
Edwards, a young flute player who’s carrying on a tradition passed down from her  
father that was once only reserved for boys and men. 
“Native  American Teens: Who We Are,” also features several short films made 
by Native  American teens. These include a depiction of teen life gone awry 
on the  reservation (from Swinomish youth in Washington  state) and clips from 
the Native American Youth Olympics in Anchorage where teens  compete in sports 
based on traditional Inuit activities. 
Throughout  the program, we hear from a group of teens at the annual UNITY 
Conference, a  gathering of Native American youth leaders and activities from 
all over the  country. Addressing topics from common misconceptions and 
stereotypes about  Native Americans to their hopes for the future, these young leaders 
thoughtfully  weigh in on a range of issues that affect their lives  
everyday. 
In  addition to the broadcast, the project includes a website with additional 
 information about the topics featured in the program, a list of resources 
for  and about Native Americans, and a classroom discussion guide 
(_www.pbs.org/inthemix_ (http://www.pbs.org/inthemix) ). 
“Native American Teens: Who We Are,” is  produced by Castleworks, Inc. for 
PBS; Sue Castle and Pamela Benson, executive  producers: Nanobah Becker 
(Navajo), associate producer; Christina Douglas  (Shinnocock), editor. Funding is 
provided by Native American Public  Telecommunications (NAPT). The special will 
premiere on PBS stations throughout  the country the week of November 18th, 
2006 (check local  listings).